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AUTOMATIC LOADER Filed June 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR,

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Jan. 29, 1957 E. G. GAGE AUTOMATIC LOADER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June23, 1954 TO DRAKE 2e.

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INVENTOR. EDWIN G. GAGE ATTQ A/EX United States Patent AUTOMATIC LOADEREdwin G. Gage, Gilbertville, Mass., assignor to Gilbertville Woven LabelCorporation, Gilbertville, Mass., a corporation of MassachusettsApplication June 23, 1954, Serial No. 438,812

Claims. (Cl. 16461) This invention relates to automatic feedingmechanisms and has particular reference to a new and improved apparatusfor automatically feeding logs of rolled paper or the like to thecarrier of an automatic cutting machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved feedingapparatus for automatic cutting machines or the like.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth which isadapted for automatically supplying logs to the carrier and adapted tocarry logs in parallel spaced relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means forautomatically controlling the opera :tion of said carrier whereby saidcarrier will not operate until a pair of logs are placed thereon inoperative position.

Another object is to provide a new and improved arrangement whereby logsmay be carried to position over the feed carrier and then deflected intothe proper portion thereof.

Another object is to provide new and improved automatically actuatedswitch control means for an apparatus of the type set forth.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. It will be understood that changes may be made in the detailsof construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, as thepreferred form has been given by way of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of an automatic cutting machine embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a sideview thereof; 1

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view thereof on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is another fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 5 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken on line 99 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the automatic operating mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the control panel.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout, the apparatus shownin Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an automatic cutting machine for cutting logsof rolled paper or the like into sections of desired length. Thisautomatic cutting machine arrangement is the subject of my applicationSerial Number 331,892, filed Jan 10 is adapted to be oscillated into andout of cutting position. t

The logs to be out are carried by the endless carrier 13 comprising aplurality of spaced sections 14 each having a pair of depressions 15whereby a pair of logs are carried in parallel spaced relation and fedsimultaneously to the cutter which 0111.. between adjacent supports 14,as shown in Fig. 2.

By means of a Geneva wheel drive or other suitable drive, the carrier 13is advanced intermittently and stopped during the cutting operationafter which it is advanced to carry a new section into cuttingoperation.

The feeding arrangement shows an endless belt or other member 16 whichmay be so positioned as to carry logs from other apparatus such as therolling apparatus whereby logs will be fed directly from the rollingmachine to the cutting machine.

Aligned with a belt 16 is an endless belt or carrier 17 on the rollers18 and 19 and belt 17 is positioned over the center of carrier 13whereby logs from belt 16 are automatica'lly carried by belt 17 into aposition over the center of carrier 14 until the forward end of the logengages pivoted stop plate 20 which is then pivoted to actuate switch21.

The belt 17 is adapted to be driven by motor 22 through chain drive 23which engages a sprocket on shaft 24 and is adapted to drive pulley 18which is on shaft 24 subject to the control of magnetic clutch 25 andmagnetic brake 26.

Above the center of carrier 13 and extending parallel therewith is shaft27 mounted for pivotal movement in supports 28 and adapted to be pivotedin either direction by double acting pneumatic cylinder 29 in which ispositioned ram 30 on the end of which is a piston. Ram 30 is connectedat its free end to lever 31 which is rigidly connected at its oppositeend to shaft 27 whereby turning of lever 31 by ram 30 and cylinder 29will effect pivotal movement of shaft 27.

Rigidly mounted on shaft 27 is the log positioning apparatus comprisingthe depending supports 32 which are rigidly connected to shaft 27 andadapted to pivot therewith. Adjacent the lower ends of supports 32 issecured the log deflecting or positioning mechanism having the pair oflog receiving portions 33 and 34 adapted to substantially enclose a logon belt 17 and when pivoted upon pivoting of shaft 27 by cylinder 29 andram 30 to deflect the log into a respective one of the log receivingportions 15 of carrier 13. The shaft 27 is adapted to be pivoted oroscillated alternately in opposite directions whereupon a log will beenclosed by each of the deflecting portions 33 and 34 successively andsaid'portions will alternately deflect the logs toward its respectiveside whereby each of channels 15 of carrier 13 will be loadedalternately.

Limit switches 35 and 36 connect through relays 37 and 38 respectivelyto double acting solenoid operated four way valve 39 to control cylinder30 and engage logs in their respective channels 15 to prevent a new logbeing dropped or deflected into either of channels 15 until the priorlog in that channel has completely passed its respective limit switch.

Plate 20 acts as a locater and trim set for each new log and alsocontrols the movement of new logs on belt 17 by controlling motor 22through switch 21 which is connected to two of the relays to engagebrake 26 and disengage clutch 25 to prevent the advancement ofadditional Patented Jan. 29, 1957 ing' anew log from dropping intoposition :in channel r while conveyor 13 is in motion. 1

, he switches 41 '42 are controlled by cams43 and 44 which areoperatively connected to shaft 45 which actuates the Geneva wheel forintermittently :advancing carrier 13. The switches 41 and :42, one ofwhichis pro vided for each of the channels 15, only make contact whenengaged by raisedpontions-46 and '47 on said cams respectively.

lit-operation, logs are fed by belt -16tto belt v171by which a log isadvanced until it contacts platelti and thereby actuates switch 21 whichthrough engagement :of brake 26 and disengagement of clutch 25 preventsfurther feeding of logs until the log engaging plate 26 is placed in oneof the channels-.15 in carrier 13. This .is accomplished by pneumaticcylinder 29 and ram 30 unless-one of the limit switches is engaging alog in -a channel in conveyor 13,- and when-one of said limit switchesis not engaging a log, the log on belt 17 and engaging plate 20 isdeflected into said free channel 15 on conveyor 13 by which the logs arebrought into cutting position.

The logs are deflected into each of channels 15 alternately as the shaft27 is pivoted :first in one-direction and then in the other in themanner above described.

From the foregoing, it willbe seenthat I have provided new and improvedmeans for accomplishing all of the objectsand advantages of theinvention.

Idlaim:

1.- In a device of the character described, a carrier for feeding logsto a cutter or the like, said carrier having a pairof spaced logcarrying portions and .means for'automaticaliy directing logs intoeither :of said log carrying portions, said means comprising :an endlessmember for positioning logs above the center of said carrier anddeflector means for directing logs into each of said log carryingportions of said carrier, said deflecting means comprising .a pivotablemember having a pair of log engaging portions and means for pivotingsaid deflecting member, a stop plate aligned with said deflecting memberand adapted to be engaged by a log and switch means adapted to beactuated by said stop plate to effect actuation of said deflectingmember.

2. In a device of the character described, a carrier .for feeding .logsto a cutter or the like, said carrier having a pair of spaced logcarrying portions and means for ,automatically directing logs intoeither tofsaid .log carrying portions, said means comprising an endlessmember for positioning logs above the centerofsaid carrier and deflectormeans for directing logs from :said endless memher into each of said logcarrying portions of said carrier alternately, said deflecting meanscomprising a rod pivotally mounted above said carrier, a pair of logengaging members mounted on said .rod for pivotal movement thereby andmeans for effecting pivotal motion of said rod in opposite directionsalternately.

3. In a device of the character described, a carrier for feeding logs toa cutter or the like, said carrier having a 4 pair of spaced logcarrying portions and means for automatically feeding logs alternatelyto each of said log carrying portions, said means comprising an endlessmember positioned above the center of said carrier, a stop plate alignedwith said endless member and adapted to be engaged by a log carried bysaid endless member, log deflecting means for deflecting a log into oneof said log carrying portions -of said carrier and switch means adjacentsaid stop plate and adapted to be actuated upon engagement of a log withsaid stop plate to effect actuation of said deflecting means and limitswitch means on said carrier and adapted to prevent the feeding of a logthereto untii'alogin .saidcarrier passes said switch means.

4. In a device of the character described, a carrier for feeding logs toa cutter or the'like, said carrier having a pair of spaced log carryingportions and means for automatically feeding logs to said log carryingportions, said means comprising an endless member positioned above thecenter of said carrier, a stop plate aligned with said endlessmemberandadapted to be engaged by a log carried by said .endless member, logdeflecting means for deflecting a leg from said feeding means to one ofthe log carrying portions of said carrier and switch means adiacent saidstop plate and adapted to be actuated upon engagement of a log with saidstop plate to effect actuationtof said deflecting means, a cutter forcutting said log into sections, means for advancing said carrier towardsaid cutter intermittently and switch means for preventing deflecting ofa log v into said carrier during the advancement of said carrier.

5. In atdeviceof the character described, a carrier for feeding logs toa cutter or the like, said carrier having a pair of spaced log carryingportions and means for automatically :feeding logs to said log carryingportions, said means comprising an endless :member positioned above thecenter of said carrier, a stop plate aligned with said 1 endless memberrand adapted to be engaged by a log carried by said endless member, logdeflecting means .for

deflecting a log from said feeding means to "one of the log carryingportions of said carrier and switch means adjacent'said stop ,plate andadapted tobe actuated upon engagement of a .log with said stop plate toeffect actuation .of lsaidtdeflectingmeans and limit switch means onsaid carrier and adapted to prevent the feeding of a .log thereto until.a log in said carrier passes said switch means, a cutter for cuttingsaid log into sections, means for advancing said carrier toward saidcutter intermittentlyand switch means forpreventing deflecting of a loginto said carrier during the advancement of said carrier.

References Cited in'the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSWetmore July 7, 1914

